Senior benefits in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana
Seniors living in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday needs. The Evangeline Council on Aging, part of the Cajun Area Agency on Aging region, serves as a key local starting point for finding help. Local resources include Evangeline Transit for transportation, LIHEAP energy assistance through the Evangeline Community Action Agency, and financial assistance for medical bills through Mercy Regional Medical Center. At the state level, programs like Louisiana Medicaid, the Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, and Medicare Savings Programs may help cover health and home care costs. Louisiana seniors may also benefit from the Homestead exemption, the Special assessment level property tax freeze, and a retirement income exclusion on state taxes. Free Medicare counseling is available through LaSHIP. On top of that, dozens of federal programs may apply as well. Each program listing below includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the sponsoring agency makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
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Louisiana programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · September 28, 2026
Local starting point
Evangeline Council on Aging (Cajun Area Agency on Aging region)
1-337-766-0060
See which of these Evangeline Parish programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Evangeline Parish benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Evangeline Parish
Run by the parish, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Evangeline Parish. Start here.
Elder Services in Evangeline Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Cajun Area Agency on Aging / Evangeline Council on Aging) — Evangeline Parish
CountyThe Evangeline Council on Aging serves older adults in Evangeline Parish as part of the Cajun Area Agency on Aging network. Services include congregate meals, home-delivered meals, homemaker help, in-home respite for caregivers, legal assistance, the long-term care ombudsman, recreation, telephone check-ins, transportation, home visits, and wellness programs. The office is at 1012 N. Reed Street, Ville Platte. Call 337-766-0060 to ask about services. For Medicare Part D enrollment help, call the Cajun Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-738-2256.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Evangeline Parish
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,600 a year.
LIHEAP energy assistance (Evangeline Community Action Agency) — Evangeline Parish
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay home heating and cooling bills. In Evangeline Parish, the Louisiana Housing Corporation lists Evangeline Community Action Agency as the local LIHEAP provider. Crisis help is available if a household has a disconnect or pending disconnection notice. Call 337-363-1306 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year
Healthcare in Evangeline Parish
Hospital Financial Assistance (Mercy Regional Medical Center) — Evangeline Parish
CountyMercy Regional Medical Center in Ville Platte is the hospital for Evangeline Parish. Its financial information pages cover billing, insurance, eligibility services, financial assistance, and online bill payment. Call the hospital office at (337) 363-5684 and ask about financial assistance.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Evangeline Parish
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public transit (Evangeline Transit) — Evangeline Parish
CountyThe Evangeline Council on Aging runs demand-response transit for the general public in Evangeline Parish, with scheduled out-of-parish non-emergency medical trips. It is a certified Medicaid provider and also takes riders to dialysis centers. Service runs 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Fares run $1.00 - $40.00. Call 337-766-0060.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Evangeline Parish
Who runs the parish programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Evangeline Council on Aging (Cajun Area Agency on Aging region)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Cajun Area Agency on Aging / Evangeline Council on Aging)
Evangeline Community Action Agency
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Evangeline Community Action Agency)
Mercy Regional Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Mercy Regional Medical Center)
Louisiana and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Evangeline Parish and across the rest of Louisiana. Full details are on the Louisiana benefits page.
Elder Services
- LaSHIP — free Medicare counseling (Louisiana Senior Health Information Program)State$100–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- LIHEAP energy assistance (Louisiana)State$200–$1,600/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP food assistance (Louisiana)State$276–$3,576/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Louisiana Medicaid for people 65+, blind, or disabled (SSI and Provisional Medicaid)State$2,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Home Care
- Long-Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) — Medicaid help with daily care at homeState$3,000–$20,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Community Choices Waiver (CCW) — Medicaid care at home instead of a nursing homeState$5,000–$25,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)State$2,100–$5,200/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Homestead exemption (property tax) for Louisiana homeownersState$100–$1,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Special assessment level (property tax assessment freeze) for homeowners 65+, disabled, or disabled veteransState$0–$1,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Louisiana income tax: $12,000 retirement income exclusion for age 65+ (and exempt Social Security and public pensions)State$0–$360/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby parishes
Local programs differ from one parish to the next. If you live near a parish line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.